Avoiding Dog Behavior Problems In Your Home

I do in-home dog training in the Rocky River and Fairview Park areas. I specialize in severe aggression and anxiety cases. However, in this article I’d like to talk a bit about how to prevent behavior problems from occurring, especially the first time you bring a dog home or even better before you head out to get your new canine friend!

The first few days with your new dog are paramount for success. In fact, the first few weeks with a new dog afford you a tremendous opportunity to prevent any behavior problems before they even begin! During this time, your new dog is learning what you expect of him and what he is allowed to get away with; he is desperately seeking guidance and is learning the structure of your household.

For this reason, it is important to make sure all members of your household are on board with the rules of the house and are willing to be consistent with the rules. Do this before bringing your new friend home! There is nothing more confusing to a dog than being scolded by mom for jumping on the couch and then being petted by dad for the same behavior a moment later. When you have inconsistency in the rules and the training in your household, anxiety begins to develop and problem behaviors begin to emerge. Don’t underestimate the power of consistency!

During my in-home consultations, I always explain to my clients that for the next few weeks they should think of their dog as going into doggy boot camp. Most of the dogs I deal with have severe anxiety or aggression issues, but believe it or not, the foundation we’ll draw upon to resolve these issues is no different than the foundation you need to establish with a new dog!

Your goal when you bring home a new dog is to avoid confusing him (and stressing him out) by establishing a clear set of rules and restrictions. To do this, I encourage new dog owners to limit the freedom they allow their new dog when they bring it home. This is NOT a punishment! In fact, just the opposite. It’s how you set your new dog up for success. If you bring a new dog home and immediately let him roam free in your home, you’re setting your dog up failure, especially if he’s never experienced structure or rules in his previous home situation.

Remember, a dog comes with little intuitive knowledge about how to be a pet! The standards for good behavior are ours, and so it is our responsibility to teach our dog what we expect from him. By keeping him on the leash and supervised, and also by crating when you are cannot possibly watch him, you prevent bad behaviors from developing and at the same time, you encourage more desirable behavior patterns. As your new dog begins to adjust and settle into your household routine, you can begin to loosen up and allow more freedom.

If you have any questions about any behavior problems your dog may have or how to set your dog up for success in the home, please don’t hesitate to email me at daniel@rockstardogtraining.com or visit my website at www.rockstardogtraining.com.                                                    

Daniel Makara

Daniel Makara is the owner of Rockstar Dog Training and an in-home dog trainer, specializing in aggression and anxiety issues. 

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Volume 2, Issue 1, Posted 5:50 PM, 07.03.2014